Predicting Postpartum Anxiety and Depression: The Impact of Maternal Social Support Systems

Abstract

The present study aims to address these gaps by investigating the relationship between maternal social support and postpartum anxiety and depression among women within the first year after childbirth. Furthermore, the study explores the role of self-esteem as a potential contributing psychological factor. Based on existing literature, it is hypothesized that higher levels of perceived social support will be associated with lower levels of postpartum anxiety and depression. It is also expected that social support will serve as a significant predictor of maternal mental health outcomes, even when accounting for additional psychological variables.